When following Jesus became uncool

 In the church world, I was pretty cool. I was saving it for Jesus, didn't even date, said crap like, "I just need to focus on God's Kingdom right now."  Or "I'm just too young to know what love really is." I didn't do drugs or drink, I spoke fluent Christianese, I thought things like, "I wonder why that person doesn't have their hands raised or eyes closed during worship, I'll pray for them," and I even held Bible studies at my house on the weekends. Not all of these things are bad, some of them can be good, but I focused so much on being a cool Christian that I failed to connect well with people. There was an army of people cheering me on to be good and to follow Jesus, then I graduated and left youth group, the army of people subsided, and the world became very real. Here are some of the things I've learned since following Jesus became uncool...

I'm not supposed to convince people to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit penetrates hearts, I am just meant to connect with people.

I don't need to find a way to bring up Jesus every chance I get, I just need to be caring a friend.

When I hear that someone dies, I shouldn't shrug off someone's pain with an "at least they are with Jesus," line. Instead I should be a shoulder to cry on and a comforting presence.

When someone is angry at God, I need to let them be angry. I should be transparent about my own doubts and frustrations with God and let God work out the details in their hearts.

People suck and that definitely includes me. The more I'm in touch with my own screw-ups, the less I notice the flaws in others.

It is not usually my job to judge, but it is always my job to love.

Constantly trying to figure out how to bring Jesus into the conversation just makes me socially awkward.

I don't have a crazy past, not because I'm just that good, but mostly because I just don't have the guts to do anything too risky. And following Jesus involves risk, so I just need to get over myself and let God take my on adventures.

I do not have to agree with a certain way someone decides to live their life, but I should always support the person.

The army of people that supported me in youth group growing up was a representation of the foundation I need to build on God on my own.

Contrary to what I was told growing up, I didn't just wait patiently and this amazing man of God appeared in my life. I've waited patiently, dated bozos, had my heart broken, met some weirdos, and a few nice guys. And ladies and gentlemen, this is what real dating is like when you don't get married at 18.

People-pleasing is a seemingly selfless way to live, though it is actually a pretty selfish way to live. Sometimes just not giving an f is the best way to go.

Connecting with people does not mean fake smiling and leaving early when there's a bunch of cussing, inappropriate jokes, and drinking going on. It means learning how to have a good time and enjoy people, as they are.

Cussing, drinking, inappropriate jokes etc. just means that people have lived real life and have found ways to cope with it. I mean, shoot, I cuss sometimes and laugh at the occasional inappropriate joke. (And by occasional, I mean, every time...whoops)

Victory over addictions and struggles should not put me in a position higher than others, but rather it puts God in the higher position and me walking alongside others going through similar struggles.

If someone asks about Jesus, I should not be backwards in sharing the nitty gritty of my experiences in following Him. I suck, God does not. That's the general idea of it.

Though I may be silently praying for someone to find Jesus, I should always respect the reasons and conclusions someone has arrived at for not believing.

Standing up for the truth is important, so is loving others. One should never override the other.